The status of Jon Jones’ first UFC heavyweight title defense remains unknown as negotiations for a potential matchup with Stipe Miocic have yet to yield results. After securing his second divisional crown in March with a victory over Ciryl Gane, Jones expressed his desire to fight Miocic at UFC 290 on July 8. However, the event passed without the anticipated mega-fight, and no other agreement has materialized as of yet.

Former UFC heavyweight champion and current analyst Daniel Cormier expressed concern over the situation, noting that the heavyweight division longs for the Jones-Miocic bout. Cormier further speculated that Jones vs. Miocic could be Jones’ last fight and that he might consider retiring afterward. While there have been talks of a fight between Jones and Tyson Fury, Cormier dismissed Fury’s chances in a full-on fight with Jones.

Miocic’s last victory was in August 2020 when he defeated Cormier, but he has not stepped into the octagon since then. Jones was originally waiting to face a combination of Miocic, Francis Ngannou, and Cormier when he made the move to the heavyweight division. While Cormier is no longer in the equation, negotiations for a Jones mega fight with Ngannou and Miocic have been fraught with difficulties, leading ultimately to Ngannou vs. Gane and Jones vs. Gane earlier this year.